DUI Defense in Mount Vernon: Protect Your Rights With Skilled Criminal Attorneys
You probably never plan to face drunk driving charges in Skagit County, but plans can go awry. Simply enjoying an adult beverage at dinner and driving too soon afterward could mean you find yourself dealing with a DUI arrest. In some cases, field tests might cause you to be arrested even if you haven’t had a drink. At these times, an experienced Mount Vernon DUI attorney can bring you peace of mind.
Our Mount Vernon DUI attorneys know that facing criminal charges can be frightening, and we step in to provide knowledgeable support and guidance about your case. We’ll work to understand your side of the story and create a strong defense strategy that protects your rights and supports your chances of a positive outcome.
DUI or DWI cases in the Skagit County area can be complex, but our team knows how to cut through the legal speak and help you understand the charges against you. Our Mount Vernon DUI attorneys fight aggressively to support your freedom and help you understand all your options for a DUI defense.
Driving Under the Influence: When You Need a Mount Vernon DUI Attorney
DUI charges are covered under the Revised Code of Washington statute 46.61.502, which says:
“A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:
- And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
- The person has, within two hours after driving, a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher, as shown by analysis of the person’s blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
- While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug; or
- While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, cannabis, and any drug.”
In short, you can be charged with DUI in Mount Vernon and the surrounding areas if you are suspected to be operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor or drugs or a combination of those things.
A field test can be used to test for alcohol or THC levels in your body, but a law enforcement officer can also arrest you if they believe they have other adequate evidence that you were driving under the influence.
Our team of Mount Vernon DUI attorneys has the resources, experience, and knowledge to help minimize the consequences of these charges through strategic DUI defense.
Living Freely in Mount Vernon Thanks to Skagit County DUI Attorneys
Mount Vernon offers a beautiful and friendly community with plenty of activities to enjoy. The Arts Commission works to support diversity and art within the community, making theater, the fine arts, and other programs available to all citizens. Those who enjoy the great outdoors can get plenty of adventure in the surrounding area, and Mount Vernon parks like Beaver Pond Park offer green spaces for picnicking, hiking, and exploring nature.
The city and wider Skagit County also offer ample dining and shopping opportunities and a robust nightlife. However, when you’re living in the shadow of a criminal charge, we know that you can’t live as freely as you like and best enjoy all that the community has to offer.
That’s why our Mount Vernon DUI attorneys are available to help you navigate DUI charges and potential outcomes.
DUI Penalties in Skagit County
The penalties you might face if you are convicted of a DUI in Mount Vernon or other areas of Skagit County depend on your prior offenses and the facts of your case.
Someone who has not been convicted of a DUI offense in the previous 7 years is generally treated as a first-time offender under RCW 46.61.5055.
If you have a blood alcohol concentration less than 0.15 or there is no blood alcohol level (and the reason for that wasn’t your refusal to take the test), potential sentencing can include:
- 24 hours to 364 days in prison or
- 15 or more days of electronic home monitoring or
- 90 days of 24/7 sobriety program monitoring
In addition to these penalties, for which you may be required to cover the expenses, you may also face a fine of $350 to $5,000.
Penalties are more severe in cases where someone has a higher blood alcohol concentration or a previous offense within the previous 7 years.
Potential DUI Defense Offered by Mount Vernon DUI Attorneys
Our Washington criminal defense lawyers work hard to help mitigate the consequences associated with your DUI charge. They gather evidence and help you understand potential DUI defense strategies for your case, which might include:
- Questioning the breathalyzer or other field tests. Law enforcement officers must follow detailed processes in maintaining equipment and using it in the field for these tests. If your attorney can demonstrate these processes weren’t followed, the results may be thrown out.
- Attacking the legality of the traffic stop. Police officers need a reason to stop you and request you undergo a field sobriety test. Your attorney will review the circumstances of any stop to ensure it was legal.
- Showing another reason you failed a breathalyzer or chemical test. Certain medical conditions, medications, and even the use of mouthwash right before a test can impact the results.
These are just some of the strategies our Mount Vernon DUI attorneys use to defend those facing DUI charges. To help you understand what defense strategies might work best in your case, we will discuss the situation with you and gather evidence, including video of the scene, police reports, and witness testimony.
Don’t Face DUI Charges in Mount Vernon Alone
Reach out to our criminal defense team at Washington Criminal Attorneys, PLLC, today. We offer a free phone consultation to hear about your case and help you understand whether we can help. Call our team or connect with us online.
